School Environment ImprovementPublic school renovation and extension

Multiple sites, Comoros · From 2022

3D render of the façade of a six-classroom block in earth brick, with outdoor galleries and orange metal staircases

A programme to renovate and extend public schools across several sites in Comoros. Bioclimatic, earthquake- and cyclone-resistant design, attentive to accessibility, gender and climate comfort, drawing on the local compressed-earth-block industry and shared through a guide and workshops.

The School Environment Improvement Project (PAES), funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) under the Bundo la Malezi programme, supports the rehabilitation and extension of 32 public schools across the Comoros. Four pilot schools — Sanfile and Komoni primary schools, and Mboueni and Mirontsy middle schools, located on the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan — served as the basis for developing bioclimatic, seismic-resistant and cyclone-resistant design principles, while addressing social considerations such as accessibility, gender equality, sports and thermal comfort.

New classrooms built using stabilised compressed earth bricks (CSEB) contribute to revitalising local production sectors. A design guide and training workshops shared these lessons with local architects responsible for designing and supervising the construction of the remaining 28 PAES schools.

Project: PAES — School Environment Improvement Project
Location: Grande Comore and Anjouan, Union of the Comoros
Programme: Rehabilitation and extension of public primary schools and colleges — Sites of Komoni, Mirontsy, Sanfile, Mboueni…
Client: Ministry of National Education of the Comoros · CGP Bundo la Malezi Programme
Funding: Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
Architecture: EVA Studio (Lead Designer and Joint Venture Lead) · MIZAN Studio role: Project Architect — architectural design development (schematic and detailed design), consultant coordination, community engagement, construction documentation, construction supervision.
Engineering: FI Ingénierie (building services, energy) · Green Powered Technology (structure)
Partners: 2Mains (community engagement) · Terramo (CSEB expert)
Construction contractor: CRGB, SOCO HAIDAR, Wirdane
Materials: Compressed stabilised earth blocks (CSEB), confined masonry
Area: Not disclosed
Year: From 2022
Status: Construction underway
Image credits: © EVA Studio, Ismaïl El Kasmi

Existing condition before the project: Komoni primary school, Anjouan

Existing condition before the project: Mboueni middle school, Moroni, Grande Comore

Existing condition before the project: Mirontsy middle school, Anjouan

Existing condition before the project: Sanfile primary school, Moroni, Grande Comore

3D axonometric cutaway render of two typical classrooms and their circulation zone

3D render of an outdoor circulation gallery, stabilised compressed earth brick façade

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